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It shouldn’t hurt this bad.
If she was honest with herself, she’d say she’d never completely gotten over Hawk. And now…now she was in love with him while he was going to marry another woman.
The realization hit like a body blow.
“Pia?” Tamara said. “Are you okay?”
Pia could only nod, her throat too constricted for words.
Tamara stroked her arm soothingly. “I know it hurts. You’ll need time.”
Pia nodded, and then took a deep breath.
“I was so naive,” she announced when she could speak again. “When Michelene arrived, I thought perhaps she and Hawk had dated in the past. It never occurred to me that I should be concerned about the future!”
“Well, don’t worry. I’ll have Sawyer call Hawk out,” Tamara stated, trying to lighten the mood. “Sawyer must have some centuries-old ceremonial swords lying around somewhere that they can duel with…”
Pia gave a choked laugh. “I don’t know. Hawk is in good shape. He’s a rock climber.”
Pia was thankful for Tamara’s understanding. She wasn’t sure if Belinda would have managed to be quite so deft at a time like this. But then Tamara was happily married, while Belinda was trying her utmost to be happily unmarried.
Pia tried to compose herself, and gave Tamara a watery smile. “Thanks for trying to cheer me up.”
Tamara gave a rueful little smile of her own. “I know what you’re going through, Pia, believe me. It’s where I was just a few months ago.”
“But everything worked out for you. Sawyer adores you.”
“I didn’t think it was possible at the time. There’ll come a day when you’ll be happy again—I promise.”
Pia sighed. “Not any time soon. I’m committed to seeing through Lucy’s big event. How will it look if I end this horrible year by dropping Lucy’s wedding at the last moment? It will truly be a fatal blow to Pia Lumley Wedding Productions!”
Tamara grimaced. “I wish I could question Sawyer right now, but he flew back to New York yesterday, and I know he’s in a business meeting right now.”
“It’s okay. It won’t change anything.”
Nothing could make this right.
“What is Michelene’s full name?” Tamara queried suddenly.
“It’s Ward-Fombley. Michelene Ward-Fombley.”
Tamara nodded. “I’ve heard of her, though I can’t put a face to the name at the moment.”
“She’s genteel and attractive.”
“So are you.”
“You’re loyal.”
Tamara tilted her head. “I’m sure I’ve heard the name in connection with one social function or another here in England…”
“I’m not surprised,” Pia admitted, though it hurt. “She’s from Hawk’s social circle. In fact, I believe she was a leading candidate to be Hawk’s older brother’s bride until William passed away.”
Tamara grimaced again. “Oh, Pia, are you sure Hawk isn’t just feeling some lingering halfhearted sense of obligation?”
“Even if he is, it doesn’t change matters. He engaged in some artful omissions, and I can only assume that his sense of obligation remains.”
Hawk had assumed responsibilities in the past three years, Pia reflected, and she was suffering the consequences.
